CBD and Back Pain

In the past couple of years, cannabidiol (CBD) products have been used for various alternative
medical treatments. Right now, CBD is a relatively new and understudied type of pain treatment
– but that doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t work.

Sure – THC products like the new fruit loops strain are crazy fun. But keep in mind that their
CBD-filled cousins may be the pain treatment you’ve been searching for. In fact, some studies
suggest that CBD can significantly reduce inflammation. This is crucial for people suffering from
chronic back pain, seeing as inflammation is often a large contributing factor.

These days, you can find CBD products in many forms – from gels and topical creams that are
showing excellent promise in treating neuropathy and inflammation to oils and other products
that are an equally good option for neck and back pain.

But what is CBD to begin with – and are there any potential side effects and interactions with
other drugs that people should keep in mind? Don’t worry – we’ll explore the use of CBD for
treating back pain right here in-depth.

CBD 101

CBD is a substance derived from the cannabis plant. Besides CBD, the plant contains more
than a hundred other chemical compounds. These compounds are collectively known as
cannabinoids and have a wide range of health benefits and effects. Most commonly connected
to CBD, some of them have analgesic – meaning pain-relieving – and anti-inflammatory
qualities.

The cannabis plant has different varieties, which are grown for different uses. The two main
uses you’ve likely heard of are the production of high-THC plants, which cause the “high” of
marijuana – and the non-drug, industrial uses that have only trace levels of THC.
The latter is commonly known as “hemp”, and it’s used to make clothing, paper, and even
building materials. There’s some CBD in both hemp and marijuana, but most of the CBD oils
and other products you can find on today’s market are made from hemp.

And most importantly – CBD has no psychogenic or psychedelic effects that people commonly
associate with marijuana.

How Does CBD Help Treat Back Pain?

So, why has CBD become so popular as a supplement for back pain relief?

For starters, it reduces inflammation – and as we’ve pointed out, that’s the main contributing
factor to back pain in many chronic cases. On the other hand, CBD is also known to lower
anxiety – which is a disastrous byproduct of chronic (especially when it’s long-lasting) back pain.
Finally, CBD generally helps people relax and sleep – which is also something that’s far more
difficult with chronic back pain.

Certain studies suggest that CBD changes how people perceive pain – potentially lowering it
from the subject’s perspective. And though more research is necessary on that topic, it’s
important to note that CBD is a proven pain relief and relaxation supplement. Just remember
that it’s generally a full-body treatment; so it doesn’t specifically go after back pain.
Of course, that’s not the case with topical products like gels, which definitely target specific
areas upon application.

CBD Side-Effects

One of the best things about CBD is that it’s generally considered safe – even in relatively high
amounts. CBD’s biggest side effects are a dry mouth sensation, dizziness, and drowsiness – all
of which are a given if you’re looking for something to help you relax and relieve pain.
Just keep in mind that CBD is also used to lower blood pressure, so that effect is something to
consider as well.

Of course, just like any other natural product, there is a certain potential for uncommon adverse
reactions if combined with other medications. This is especially true for blood thinners, for
example.

Generally, its advisable to consult with your physician before using CBD together with any other
medication. This is especially important if you’re scheduled to have any kind of surgery, as your
surgeon needs to know you’ve used CBD before they sedate you further.

How Do I Choose A CBD Product?

The fact that you can find all kinds of CBD products these days also means you’ve got too many
options to choose from. So, how do you pick something trustworthy among so many
manufacturers?

For starters, look for stuff that’s gone through third-party testing. You can only trust what
manufacturers are saying up to a point – you want products that have been tested by others as
well.

Second, accurate and clear labeling is always a good sign. If the people making the products
have made all the info easily accessible online, and on the label itself, it’s a good sign – that
means they’ve got nothing to hide.

These days, CBD products aren’t under heavy FDA scrutiny yet. While this will definitely change
over time, that means you have to do a lot of the due diligence on your own to avoid faulty
products. So, read any online documentation and labels carefully before you apply anything.
And if you have any concerns, make sure to discuss them with your doctor.